Showing posts with label Bollywood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bollywood. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Why Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewaani works?

*spoilers ahead*

Ever since watching the trailer of the film and the badtameez dil dance, I wanted to go watch this movie on the first day it was coming out. Friday night was busy with a social engagement so it had to be Saturday. I was super excited to go watch it more because the company was awesome too – my two gal pals. We were as excited as a kid on her birthday, and mostly because of Ranbir Kapoor. ;)

After watching the movie I kept on wondering how this same old ghisa-pita logic (by that I mean story) still works. If you really think about it, it’s actually puraani daaru in nayi botal, so what makes it work? Why are so many viewers including myself so excited about this one? The first thing about YJHD is that almost in the entire two hours of duration there rarely is a moment that allows your attention to steer away from it. The story holds on to you like magnet. You keep wondering what will happen next, in a good exciting way. There are moments when things feel like they are falling apart, like when Bunny decides to move away from India or when Aditi (Kalki Koechlin) decides to get married and drops the bomb on Bunny via video clip. You almost keep wondering whether she’s getting married to Avi (Aditya Roy Kapoor). The end is predictable by the masala category of film yet there’s something that tells the viewer that’s not what’s going to happen and it doesn’t. That’s what makes it click. If you really see, the train sequences remind one of moments from Jab We Met and DDLJ. Then there’s the love between friends and how they fight and makeup with each other that kind of reminds you of Dil Chahta Hai and then a foreign kid joining the gang, Raina (Poorna Jagannath), well, sort of reminds of Rang De Basanti and then friends fighting and going their own paths after graduation again reminds of Dil Chahta Hai and it almost makes one wish that their paths hopefully do cross again in future. Soaking your feet in pool water reminded me of Munna and Circuit. :) Not sure why, but Bunny (Ranbir Kapoor) moving to the US and then moving back to India reminded me of Swades. And then Bunny and Naina (Deepika Padukone) taking f o r e v e r to tell each other about their feelings. God! That was so annoying, but I’m glad they finally did and that Vikram dude was just another Anshuman (from Jab We Met). I think that’s what kept the movie going. The fact that the audience couldn’t tell whether our hero and heroine will actually get together at the end. You always fear a QSQT moment or Kal Ho Na Ho moment. Thankfully it was neither so it was pretty darn good. It was so adorable to see Aditi getting married to Taran and that no difficult moments could break them.

The acting is great and majority of the storyline pretty solid. It was great to see Farooq Sheikh as Bunny's father. Reminded me of Umrao Jaan and Chashme Baddoor and made me appreciate the fact that actors like him are still getting work. Chemistry, Biology and whatever else you want to call it between Ranbir and Deepika is so awesome it makes one forget it's a movie and not real life. Now I know why Karan Johar said it's a movie and not a wedding invitation. ;) Kalki and Aditya are awesome as supporting actors. It was my first film with them as actors and I have to admit I liked both of their works and am looking forward to watching more of their works. I had almost predicted my most favorite scene of the film and that was the one where Bunny and his step-mom chat at the end of the film. Absolutely loved that scene and I think it's entirely thanks to Ayan Mukherjee for coming up with such a yeh-laga-sixer moment and bringing closure and feel-good-vibes to the whole movie by putting that in.

I have to admit that the drinking got a bit out of hand and it almost made me wish that they display those statutory warnings like with cigarette smoking for alcohol too. It’s not something to be promoted for sure. And I wish Avi’s friends helped him get out of the gambling routine. That was kind of sad to see him go through bad times. In a way it was a moral of the story kind of thing too, for those who want to see it that way. Meaning if you are jealous about someone else’s success and have super high expectations from your friends, it’s possible that it might not get you anywhere. If you want to achieve something in life, YOU have to make an effort and not wait for someone else to do something for you. At the same time, if your friends make progress in different fields than you, wish them well. Don’t be jealous and upset about their achievements. And last but not least, when it comes to friends or people you love, nothing matters. Got to stand by them when they need you. That’s what friendship is all about. And honesty and simplicity are not bad things. :)

And if it's a Bollywood film, we have to talk about songs. Pritam's music is utterly beautiful. All the songs are fantasic to listen to and watch on screen. My most favorite ones are ilaahi (you might have missed this makes-you-want-to-listen-to-it-over-and-over-again kind of song like I did during watching the film if you were too busy looking at Ranbir ;)) and re kabira, followed by balam pichkaari and badtameez dil. Subhaan allah is also beautifully sung and the kind that sort of grows on your after you listen to it a few times. If you are watching the movie in a theater that does not break for an interval, then you can go pee when dilliwali girlfriend song comes up. ;) Ghaghra song is typical mujra meets qawaali song and Madhuri looks like million dollars.

So if you still haven’t seen YJHD, go watch it! You will love it for sure. I am waiting for an opportunity to go watch it again in theater. Good work, YJHD team!

Friday, February 01, 2013

"The" English Vinglish

After waiting for it for months I finally got to watch English Vinglish. And now I know why Raksha aunty kept on pestering mom to watch it. What an amazing movie! It's not just the acting and the storyline that making it an amazing watch, but the moral of the story too. To learn to love yourself and respect yourself. It all starts within. As usual.

My most favorite scenes of the film:

When Laurent answers why he loves coming to the class. Shashi! That was the sweetest. I honestly kept wondering where the movie is going after seeing him show his affection towards Shashi.

Every single scene where Shashi does the "yoo-hoo!" and lifts up her hand and cheers and almost jumps with joy.

After much struggle Shashi finally orders a sandwich and coffee, runs into another customer at the restaurant and gets super flustered and runs out of the restaurant. She is really good at these scenes, isn't it? There were traces of abused Anju of Chaalbaaz, and young angry-scared Mehndi of Khuda Gawah and furiously upset Pooja of Lamhe. That's when that little voice in my mind said, wow! The Sridevi is really back!!

How Shashi asks in class why it's THE United States of America but not THE India.

I simply adored the last scene. The way Gauri Shinde has made is so realistic with the clear slow speech where every word is said after thinking, after translating and our underdog has made it seem so real, so amazing! It truly deserves a standing ovation. Not to forget the "chullu bhar paani mein doob maro" acting by the family members. They were also quite convincing. For a moment, I did wonder however, if Ms. Shinde was bold enough, like our other Bollywood directors *wink* *wink* to make Shashi leave her family and go live a happier life with Laurent. But when I heard the dialog, "main apne favorite subject mein fail ho jau aur doosre subject mein pass ho jaau.. yeh kaise ho sakta hai?" I knew she had her brain and heart in the right place. ;) It was time to make laddus again, so what if she can't go attend the final exam or the last class session. And indeed, at the end, as I guessed it, thanks to her lovely niece, the school comes to her and she passes her class with flying colors. After all, her classmates had to have laddus somehow, so then two plus two is four.

And when Shashi tells the class to not make fun of others. Others who remain quiet in the class, or others who are different than you. Wow man! that's some BIG lesson of life and you just show it so simply. Hats off, Gauri Shinde.

It was funny to see Radha ask/say to Mausi (wait, that almost sounds like I'm talking about Sholay, doesn't it!), at the end of the remote class session over a cellphone: "wow! he really likes you. Do you like him too? It's okay, hota hai..." or something like that. It was hilarious in a *chuckle chuckle* sort of way.

Was anyone else rooting for Amitabh to be on that return flight to India? I know I was. :D

Oh and my favorite song would have to be "gustaakh dil..."

If you still haven't seen it, please, do take time to watch this one.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Student of the Year aka Fillum of the Year

*spoilers ahead*

This is your Mohabbatein meets Jo-Jeeta-Wohi-Sikandar meets Harry-Potter-and-the-Goblet-of-Fire movie. It's a totally fun movie with a couple of short heavy scenes which make you shed a tear or two if you're the senti kind who gets affected by filmy drama. But all in all, a very very fun movie!! This is the kind of movies I like for I get to put my dimaag away and enjoy the craziness and fun. KJo really knows how to spend money and give the audience what they want.

My most favorite thing about the movie was the music and songs. OH MY GOD!! Vishal Shekhar truly rock!! Absolutely loved that KJo decided to incorporate those oldies in the film like gulaabi aakhen, papa kehte hai, taareef karoon kya us ki, and disco deewaane. I'm completely hooked to the music and my most favorite parts being the dubstep and that music that plays from 1:16 to 1:30 in this clip: http://youtu.be/Y3wvsGYju60.

Completely loved the friendship that the characters shared and the HUGS!! Totally loved how they all, even the boys, give each other hugs without hesitations. I think Rishi Kapoor's character might have had something to do with it. Oh and also the fact that it's directed by KJo. *wink wink*

Hilarious were the parts where after every scene involving a kind-hearted conversation, Abhimanyu asked Rohan "ab tu kiss to nahin karega na?" and the shuddh-Hindi words conversation that involved "vaksh sthal" and "nitamb" and then the teacher going "aap dono mahashay khade ho jaaiye". Rest of the shuddh Hindi wasn't too tasteful, but I guess how the dialog writer said, he had a hard time choosing words that teenagers would use. Glad he kept it to minimal and some gestures only.

Other than that, it was nice to see the romance and fights and usual KJo-melodrama that goes with his films and the flying-in-chopper (here private-plane) and the grandeur and colorful costumes were nice and predictable. Glad they kept the rona-dhona to minimal. I can't wait to watch the film again!

Oh and last but not least, the similarities to begin with (I am sure there are more):

Ideas from Mohabbatein - big expensive school in a gorgeous location in India. Lots of friends but three main ones. Strict khadoos teacher/professor. Big group (prom) dance where boys and girls fall in love with each other.

Ideas from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar - bicycle race, rigorous practice for the BIG race, and not just that bicycle race in the hills and contestants kick each other off the road to win, girl 1 loves boy 1, boy 1 is confused and thinks he loves girl 2, boys with sidekicks drive fancy cars, main actors are two boys and a girl.

Ideas from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - the (award) cup, tournament involving multiple kinds of races/competitions, swim down to the bottom of the water entity (lake/pool) to find the clue, one clue leads to another clue in the tournament, climbing/flying around the college/school campus roof during the clue finding, four teams/participants in the tournament.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Toone O Rangeele Kaisa Jaadu Kiya!

Having been so sad after knowing that the superstar left us all, I say it's time to remember Kaka's happy songs, celebrate his life, and spread/share the love and happiness he gave to us. Here are selected happy, romantic songs of Rajesh Khanna sahab!


1. gulaabi aankhen jo teri dekhi, The Train (1970)

How cool, silly and oh-so-un is Kaka's dancing and he actually lifts Nanda up. :) And I say to Kaka: "gulaabi aankhen jo teri dekhi, sharaabi yeh dil ho gaya.. "


2. chala jaata hoon kisi ki dhun mein, Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972)

Do all RK movies have a car and he paints the girl he loves? It seemed like it. This one is a fun yet philosophical number with some lovely yodeling by Kishoreda.


3. chhup gaye saare nazaare, Do Raaste (1969)

You get a chance to get lost in those gorgeous RK eyes once again and play with him in the rain. Oooh so exciting!!


4. yeh shaam mastaani madhosh kiye jaaye, Kati Patang (1971)

Yup, this is how the girls got attracted to him and couldn't take their eyes off of him, like a magnet he was. To him, I say "teri nazar ban ke zubaan lekin tere paighaam diye jaaye".


5. kora kaagaz tha yeh man mera, Aradhana (1969)

His signature adaayen and the way he talks with his eyes steal your heart. Love how they match the blues and reds in his and her clothes. I say people who got to work with him, see him in person, live with him are so fortunate. Something about him that makes him a simple man but so magestic!!


6. o mere dil ke chain, Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972)

I know all of this (the never-ending craze for RK songs) wouldn't have all that possible without Kishore Kumar's singing. But you have to admit that RK was that icing on this cake that made it more delicious to enjoy!! To Kaka I say: "aap ka armaan aap ka naam mera taraana aur nahin... jachta hi nahin aakhon mein koyi"


7. achha to hum chalte hai, Aan Milo Sajna (1971)

*sigh* think of meeting such a gorgeous man and watching sunsets together in such gorgeous places. Who'd be able to say "achha to hum chalte hai"? No one.


8. bindiya chamkegi choodi khankegi, Do Raaste (1969)

Who wouldn't sing a song if you have to manaofy Rajesh Khanna? Anyone would. How adorable does he look upset. Just more lovable!


9. baagon mein bahaar hai, Aradhana (1969)

The playful Rakesh Khanna shows his magic to woo once again. How dashing does he look with a mustache!! For this one, to RK's question "tum ko mujhse pyaar hai" I say "hai, haan hai, hai hai.. " :)


10. bheegi bheegi raaton mein, Ajnabee (1974)

Only way to describe this one: So playful! You not only get showered with the rain but the Rajeshness too.


11. naino mein nindiya hai.. main kahaan rahoonga, Joru Ka Ghulaam (1972)

This one is a favorite since the Rangoli days. It makes me want to break into dance.


12. roop tera mastana, Aradhana (1969)

THE romantic song of RK! Love this song and the fact that the whole thing is shot in single take. What acting man!! Hats off!!


13. yeh jo chilman hai, Mehboob Ki Mehndi (1971)

The magical effects of THE eyes continues even here. This one makes me want to keep watching him. Bas, yoon hi.


14. jai jai shiv shankar, Aap Ki Kasam (1974)

Ultimate talli-ho-ke-naachne-wala song!


15. suno sunaaye.. prem kahaani mein, Prem Kahaani (1975)

I love this for the pinks and the happiness it spreads around. RK and Mumtaz team up yet again to shower us in their magical on-screen chemistry and mega-watt smiles.


16. dil sambhaale sambhalta nahin, Raaz (1967)

Totally my kind of song!! Brings huge smile on my face just watching/listening to it. When you think Rajesh Khanna you think the 70s but he has had some most lovely songs from the 60s too. Mukesh sahab's singing just proves yet again how much even his voice matched the legend's. Kaka looks so young in this one, only of age 25.


17. kya jaanu sajan, Bahaaron Ke Sapne (1967)

To him, I say "jal uthe sau diye jab liya tera naam" in my heart that is. This one sums it up. Did you see his smiling eyes in this one!?!? He doesn't need words to talk, just his eyes.


18. aaj na chhodenge bas humjoli khelenge hum holi, Kati Patang (1971)

And when we're talking about romance and masti, how can there not be a holi song!! And he finally manages to color her in his color.. like everyone else!


19. gunguna rahe hai bhanwre khil rahi hai kali kali, Aradhana (1969)

And Mohd. Rafi gives us his share of songs to prove that he's got the voice for him too. And what romantic song! It makes you feel that bhanwra are indeed gunguna-rahe and kaliyan are also khil-rahi. But that's only because it's Rajesh Khanna & Sharmila Tagore.


20. yoon hi tum mujhse baat karti ho, Saccha Jhootha (1970)

This masti-bhara song makes me want to fall in love. She says "adaayen dil ki jaanta hi nahin, mera humdum bhi kitna saada hai".. what does she know of how many adaayen he knows of. ;)


21. karvate badalte rahe, Aap Ki Kasam (1974)

Watching this one as a kid on chitrahaar I was so fascinated by the mahaul created by this one that I just wanted to be there on those snowy mountain slopes with Rajesh Khanna. And when I started to understand lyrics, this was my most favorite "couple" song, even above "jab koyi baat bigad jaaye" and "tere mere sapne ab ek rang hai". I think it still is.


22. goro ki na kaalo ki yeh duniya hai dilwaalon ki, Disco Dance (1983)

In this one, Kaka tells us what motto to live by in your life. "jeena hai din chaar yahaan khush ho ke jeele yaar.. karna hai kuchh agar tujhe jee bhar ke kar le pyaar.. kya tera kya mera bhula de mere yaar"


23. zindagi ek safar hai suhana, Andaaz (1971)

Said so playfully this great philosophy of life. "maut aati hai aayegi ek din, jaan jaati hai jaayegi ek din.. aisi baaton se kya ghabrana, yahaan kal kya ho kisne jaana.."


24. duniya mein logon ko dhokha kabhi ho jaata hai, Apna Desh (1972)

All the glitter and glamour equal to coolness unlimited in this one! RK generates ultimate entertainment with his red velvet jacket, cool aviators, mighty mustache, blinding ruby-like ring, saxophone playing, sliding on floor, very strange screaming with his blonde-girl Mumtaz!


25. duniya chhute yaar na chhute, Dharam Kanta (1982)

A lovely friendship song with Jeetubhai :) "jaan se badhkar yaari hai.. dil ke dharam-kaante par dekha pyaar ka palla bhaari hai"


26. saath mein pyaara saathi hai, Dil Daulat Duniya (1972)

A seductive song of sorts.. there aren't too many of those Kaka has to his credit so it's a nice change to watch and listen to this one.


27. naina hai pyaase mere, Aavishkaar (1974)

Ultimate smiles!! I've never seen RK smile like he does here. This one just spreads so much happiness. I wish I can see the whole song. *sigh*


28. aankhon mein hum ne aap ke sapne sajhaaye hai, Thodi Si Bewafaai (1980)

It's the eyes again. And the smile too! The romance continues in the 80s. :)


29. hum aur tum tum aur hum khush hai yoon aaj mil ke, Daag (1973)

Romance in snowclad mountains once again and snowball fights and making up! Sharmila & Rajesh Khanna make the best romantic pair followed by Mumtaz & Rajesh Khanna, I think.


30. toone o rangeele kaisa, Kudrat (1981)

And last but not least... RK sahab, waah, aap ne kaisa jaadu kiya!! Words are not enough. The magic lingers even after the so-very-handsome magician is gone!

31. mere sapnon ki raani kab aayegi tu, Aradhana (1969)

OMG! And how can I forget the "sir-taaj" song of the Super Star!! I can't. It can't get any better than this. No matter how silly those hand and arm movements look and the head-tilt and eyes-wink just gets better and better and you can't take your eyes off of that gorgeous face, those lovely eyes, those coral lips. Makes me go swoon. Sapnon ka raja indeed! Totally heart him. May God bless you wherever you are, dear Rajesh Khanna.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Remembering Anand aka Rajesh Khanna...


Looks like that time has arrived to post the dialogs I typed up a decade back. There could not be an appropriate time than it is now. So sad and brutal reality. I had typed these up during the time when I went crazy for the Anand and Safar dialogs and would listen to my only-dialogs audio cassette that had selected dialogs from both of these films on each side of the tape. I'd listen to them on a repeat mode until they were all memorized.

As Isabhai Suratwala in Anand conversed with his father and later as Anand, Rajesh Khanna (Kaka) recited them to Babumoshai (Amitabh Bachchan):

"tere jaise bete ko paida karke main bahot sharminda hoon"

"apni galti pe sharminda hona har aadmi ka farz hai"

"teri yeh majaal? hum tumhe zinda gaad denge"

"lagi shart? agar gaad denge to zinda nahi rakh sakenge"

"tu paida hote hi kyon na mar gaya?"

"zindagi aur maut upar wale ke haath hai jahaan-panaah
usse na aap badal sakte hai aur na main
hum asb to rang manch ki kath-putliyaan hai
jinki dor upar wale ki ungaliyon mein bandhi hai
kab kaun kaise uthega koyi nahin bataa sakta
hahahaa"

(wicked laughter echoes)


"maut tu ek kavita hai
mujhse ek kavita ka wada hai, milegi mujhko
doobti navzon mein jab dard ko neend aane lage
zard sa chehra liye chaand waqt tak pahooche
din abhi paani mein ho, raat kinaare ke kareeb
na andhera ho na ujaala, na aadhi raat na din
jism jab khatm ho aur rooh ko jab saans aaye
mujhse ek kavita ka wada hai, milegi mujhko"


You're being missed, Rajesh Khanna sahab. Absolutely loved you in so many of your films and have watched you and would continue to watch your works tirelessly in future. May peace be with you.

Om shanti.

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

More Public Restrooms Please! For Celebrities Only

Yup, that's my request. To start with India first. I feel bad looking at all these lovely ladies who just don't have any where to GO! Crossed legs and all.




Images from http://www.highheelconfidential.com/

Friday, March 30, 2012

Hindi Film Pictionary

Trying my hand again for Emoji emoticon pictionary with Hindi film names this time. :) Let's see how that works.


Thanks to all who played and attempted. Here come the answers:

 1.  (chameli ki shaadi)
 2.  (pyaar hi pyaar)
 3.  (begani shaadi mein abdulla deewana)
 4.  (teesri mansil)
 5.  (kashmir ki kali)
 6.  (prem rog)
 7.  (rockstar)
 8.  (aradhana)
 9.  (boot polish)
10.  (andaaz)

Thursday, March 29, 2012

What's your EQ? Emoticonal Quotient, that is!

This stuff is viral, totally! You catch it like a fever, and it never goes away. Or you hope that it won't. At least, I do hope that. :)

In any case, for the newbies this is a test of how good you are at recognizing your emoticons. But here it's taken one step further. To Bollywood music!! You get to figure out what Hindi song it is by looking at a line of emoticons. Can you guess any from the list? Good luck!





Thanks for playing everyone! Here are the answers:

1.  chand mera dil
2.  dekha hai teri aankhon mein pyaar hi pyaar beshumaar
3.  oongli mein angoothi angoothi mein ek nagina
4. [] joote do paise lo
5.  kabutar ja ja ja kabutar ja
6.  phool tumhe bheja hai khat mein
7. [] hum ne dekhi hai in aakhon ki mehekti khushboo
8.  tere chehre se nazar nahin hatthi nazare hum kya dekhe
9.  hamari shaadi mein abhi baaki hai hafte char
10.    chhatri na khol barsaat mein bheeg jaane de